Dash of Inspiration: April 2024 STOCK Design Challenge
With warmer weather on the way, let’s go outside!
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Theme: Soccer
Requirements:
- Create a new stock card for one of the soccer categories listed below in this challenge.
- ONLY Big Stock cards will be accepted in this challenge.
- The judges will be looking for professional quality text layout, typography placement and font combinations in addition to a unique and captivating message that tells the story of the stock image you choose. Your added value needs to wow the judges!
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Entry Deadline: Tuesday, April 30th
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How to Enter: Post the PID (card number) and the URL (public storefront link – please WAIT for the card to be available in the public marketplace, please DO NOT post a link to your Manage Cards area) as a post in the challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.
NOTE: Submissions will appear immediately in your Private gallery as they await review. If approved, the reviewer will move them to the public gallery – they will then become ‘live’ in the marketplace within 24-hours or so just like regular submissions. Be patient and wait.
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Category:
Choose a category from this link to a GCU Search parameter = Soccer categories
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Rules:
- Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle. Big Stock creations are automatically identified as Fast Track – please add in the Notes to Reviewer: April Stock Challenge Submission here is the link to the blog post: (include THIS blog post URL)
- Only ONE card per artist per challenge.
- Submissions must be NEW, no existing designs.
- Your entry must meet the Challenge Requirements and Theme or it will not be included in the challenge.
- Big Stock Card Creations ONLY will be accepted.
- Your designs should differ from those already offered in the categories above to offer shoppers a variety of choices, not more of the same.
- No BLANK cards will be accepted.
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BLIND Judging: We hope each of you enters every month. Entries are submitted anonymously for judging by the GCU Challenge Jury which means that before and during the challenge, judges do not have any way of knowing what artist is behind each entry. This eliminates any and all concerns with ‘favoritism’. Results will post on the Community Blog. The jury will judge the entries on the following criteria:
- How well the card meets the Challenge Requirements and Theme.
- How well the card speaks to the Category the artist chooses for the card submission.
- Creativity, Execution and Marketability. Your overall ‘added value’ determines this.
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Winners: 1st Place:
- The winning designer’s card and store will be featured on the GCU Public Blog – the blog which customers view and follow.
- As well as featured on the GCU Public Facebook Page – nearly 58,000 followers, now THAT’S exposure!
- The winning card will be Design of the Day following the announcement of the winners (within 48-hours).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- The winning card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board – currently GCU’s Pinterest Page followers: 12.9K!
- The winning card, should the artist choose, may be referenced in a new series by the winning artist and he/she may Fast Track all cards in the new series (being sure to give the Challenge URL and winning card PID in your Notes to Reviewer for each card in this series).
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 2,000 followers and counting!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
- 10 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
2nd Place:
- Your submission will be Design of the Day the following week of announcing the Challenge winners (within 7-days).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- Your card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board.
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.8k followers and counting!
- 5 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
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Tips:
- Visit all the available tips, tricks and guidelines offered on the Big Stock Creation blog page!
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Be inspired to create and learn something new!
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Nuts & Bolts: Reminder March 2024 Design Challenge
- Choose an old card in your store which has no sales and give it a make over by creating a NEW card. DO NOT change the old card – but DO reference the PID of the old card in your posting of the NEW cards challenge submission.
- The category and recipient MUST REMAIN the same as the old card.
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Glamma
Wanted Cards – Glamma
Anything goes these days for a grandfather’s or grandmother’s nickname. Some young, glamorous or just too fabulous to be called “grandma” grandmothers are opting to be called Glamma.
Please consider creating Mother’s Day, Birthday and Grandparents Day cards for a Glamma. They should go here accordingly:
Birthdays >> For Family Relation Specific >> Grandma / Grandmother >> Glamma cid#38000
Holidays >> Grandparents Day >> For Grandma / Grandmother >> For Glamma cid#36290
Holidays >> Mother’s Day >> For Grandma / Grandmother >> For Glamma cid#38004
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Freebie Wednesday: Free elegant Tea Soiree Clipart
Introducing Elegant Tea Soiree Clipart by TheHungryJPEG Crafts . Discover sophistication with our Elegant Tea Soirée Watercolor Collection, exclusively at TheHungryJPEG.com! Elevate your designs with 45 exquisite JPEG and PNG files featuring vintage teacups, delicate floral motifs, and chic tea party elements. Each handcrafted illustration exudes timeless charm, perfect for invitations, stationery, and digital creations. Transform your projects into elegant masterpieces with our versatile assortment of tea-inspired graphics
Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete commercial license.
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Nuts & Bolts: Importance of Image Source in NTR Field
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Thank You Split Cost / Shared Expenses
Wanted Cards – Thank You Split Cost / Shared Expenses
There are many situations in which two parties or several individuals share the expenses of an item or activity making it possible for all to enjoy or participate. One such item is in a neighborhood with shared fences and shared driveways. If the neighbors can agree, coming together to share the expenses of the shared fence or driveway , it is a reason for thanks and pleasant neighborly relations!
Please consider creating new cards of thanks for these unique occasions. They should go here:
Occasions >> Thank You >> Split Costs / Shared Expenses
>> General cid#37976
>> Shared / Common Fence cid#37980
>> Shared / Common Driveway cid#37982
>> Other cid#37978
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Nuts & Bolts: 35th Louie Awards Finalists
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Congratulations New Electric Car
Wanted Cards – Congratulations New Electric Car
A new car is always exciting and a big decision. With new choices today, getting an electric car is a well thought about decision and transition. Congratulations to someone who has made the jump to an eclectic car.
Please consider creating cards for a category with only a few. They should go here:
Occasions > Congratulations Cards > New Car / Vehicle > New Car > New Electric Car cid#36968
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Freebie Wednesday: Free Easter Delights
Introducing our Sweet Easter Watercolor Collection on TheHungryJPEG.com! Dive into a world of vibrant Easter themed treats featuring bunny cupcakes, sugar cookies and more! With 20 high-quality PNG files included, you’ll have everything you need to add a touch of whimsy to your projects. Perfect for greeting cards, invitations, and seasonal decorations. Get creative and spread the joy of Easter with these delightful watercolor illustrations!
Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete commercial license.
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The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
GCU Community 